Creek ...

... essentially, modeling a realistic river consumes a lot of real estate.  To make it look right, the modeler often resorts to modeling one bank (effectively making the river as wide as one cares to imagine); or the river scene must be modeled perpendicular to the benchwork (i.e, bridge scene).  I see many layouts where the 'rivers' are basically little more than streams/creeks; so your decision to model the type of waterway that fits is a good one in my opinion.

Was a good read Charlie, always enjoy your articles as the lessons you have learned and share with your readers are invaluable to 'newbies' and seasoned hands as well.

Full Height Backdrop

One word of caution regarding the full height backdrops which you prefer:  This will severely restrict air flow, and could lead to HVAC issues.  The full height backdrop will trap hot air in pockets near the ceiling, possibly creating areas where the operators are uncomfortably warm.  Guess how I know.

Not saying it can't or even shouldn't be done, just that you will need to plan for this restriction.

re Full Height Backdrop

Are you saying that having a few 20"x20" window fans under the layout blowing air around won't be able to solve the air circulation issue?

Charlie

Air stratification

Charlie,

My educated guess is that, with ceiling height partitions and heat-generating sources in areas away from windows (such as lights, and people standing or moving slowly which = about 200 watts/person), you could have warm air pockets, as Norman suggests.  The hot air rises, and tends to stratify toward the top of the space, so fans low down won't have much effect.

So experimentation may be in order, before construction locks you in without a good solution.

I did, indeed, enjoy the article.  These problem-solving sessions you share with us are valuable.  Thanks.

Got A/C?

I too worried about air movement with my full height backdrops. Suspended ceiling makes for an easy enough solution. Flexible ducting and a few well placed diffusers. Ask Horace Fithers if the sky over the BC&SJ is the 'real' sky.

Full height backdrop

To provide for air flow add a grill near the top and paint it too.  

TCC:}

Double Masonite BD Panels

As to that stiffening rib.  Make it more of a cap by routing a slot in a 1x1 so that it slides on the back drop.  The wood will flex differently than the wood and this way it slips in the channel rather resist the glue.  Also this puts wood on both sides rather than just one.

Rail Fans

I've operated at layouts with such fans in use and they don't seem to do much but circulate the air at floor level.  This may be desirable if you have operators with stinky feet.   Meanwhile the air closer to the ceiling remains stuffy in pockets where it can't seem to move around the backdrop.

Another pitfall of a full-height backdrop is the interface with the ceiling.  Benchwork along a peninsula is subject to movement that doesn't affect parts of the layout along a wall.  If you try to finish the joint where the backdrop meets the ceiling it can crack or separate more readily, and if you don't the backdrop can easily reveal just how flat the ceiling isn't.